Cross Island National Wildlife Refuge

Cross Island NWR is a complex of six islands (Cross, Scotch, Outer Double Head Shot, Inner Double Head Shot, Mink, and Old Man Islands) that encompasses 1,700 acres in the town of Cutler. Cross, Mink, and Scotch islands are covered predominantly by spruce-fir forest and supports a variety of small mammals, white-tailed deer, bald eagles, ospreys, and song birds. A large salt marsh is located on the western end of Cross island. During the fall, thousands of waterfowl, songbirds, shorebirds, and raptors pass through on their southward migrations. The Double Head Shots and Old Man Islands are covered predominantly by grasses and shrubs and are used by nesting seabirds. Old Man Island is one of only four nesting sites for razorbills in the Gulf of Maine.

Cross Island refuge's six offshore islands are located 10 miles southeast of Machias in Machias Bay. The islands can be accessed by personal boat only. Cross and Scotch Islands are open year round from sunrise to sunset. Mink, Inner and Outer Double Head Shots, and Old Man Islands are open during daylight hours from September 1 to March 31 and closed during the nesting season from April 1 to August 31. For more information, contact Refuge Manager at (207) 546-2124